The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-02-09
MEASLES A DEADLY POISON.
IT CAUSES MORE SUFFERING AND Death
THAN HYDRoPHcDIA, SMALL PoX,
CHOLERA AND YELLOW FEVER.
Figures. Facts. and Comments Which
Should Receive the Attention OF
the People Of Every Class and
Condition.
Correspondent augusta Chronicle.

CONDITION.
Correspondent augusta Chronicle.
Let me call your serious attention to the
wide spread epidemic of measles that Is pre-
vaiinS. The disease Is not so APPALLING as hy-
drOphobia, nor so shocking as small poX, nor
so fearful as cholera or yellow fever; never
thclcSs, for q long series of years, and over
wide areas OF country, it has been the cause
of more suffering, and OF more deaths and
any, or indeed, of all the above named dis
eases combined. Thus in 1879 there were $3.50
deaths from measles in the Uiited States,
being over per cent. OF oil the deaths from
all causes, and ten times as many as from
small pox. In New York in 1855 and 1886
| measles caused over two per cent. Of all
deaths. Nor do these figures include the
measles, and for which it so well prepares the
way. These are wrongly recorded, as due to
consumption, pneumonia. diarrhn, &C., and
would more than double the mortality II
credited properly as they should be to mea-
slrs. Now the average age of all living in the
| United states Is about % years, If therefore we
should cut off per cent. of The deaths, by
stamping out measles, this would add two
per cent. to this 25 years, or six months on
the average to each life. For the entire popu.
lat!on at present in the country this means
| the enjoyment of 25 million years OF healthy
happy life: surely this is well worth c0nsid-
eration; hut In fact it receives no considera'
t0n. There Is no organized effort, and scarce
| ~ the suggestion Of one 10 srapple with this
disease and to eXpcIl it from society. There
prevails Il st0lid indifference to the matter.
This Is partly due TO ignorance and folly.
Through some mysterious dispensation friv-
olons persons seem to enjoy n certain heroi c
cation in exposing themselves TO al evil
they do not seriously mprehend. Selfish
persons who have passed through the disease
themselves. feeling exempt from future harm,
act on the motto. let the devil catch the hind
most, until even physicians and prudent
persons say it Is better to have the disease and
be done with II, ignoring the fact that every
new case is fresh focus for protecting, per-
petuating and dilfusing II. And all this
criminal folly is sanctioned in face of the
fact, that under the enforcement of proper
regulations, measles would cease to exist In
three weeks. The disease Is self limiting, and
II no fresh exposures occurred, all who have
at this time been exposed, and all cases now
In progress, would, within a period of three
weeks, have gone through their full term,
and be able no longer 10 propagate the intec'
tion It Is communicated only from one hu-
man body to another just as the varieties OF
vermin, peculiar to the human race are, and
1t is a filthy and deadly poison, which clean
illness far short of gOdlineSS should warn all
persons to shun. There is authority for say
Ing that it is not more readily contagious
than diptheria or scarlet fever. a cleanly
and Intelligent people should stamp 1t out.
y healthy public opinion should require
that all cases be strictly and conSpicuously is
olatcd, and that persons who recklessly or
carelcSSly expose themselves or Others to II,
should be severely condemned, and, II need
be, punished.